Petersburg man killed in highway stabbing near Missouri border

A 47-year-old Petersburg man died Saturday after being stabbed while traveling on Interstate 72 in Pike County, according to the local sheriff's office.

Dennis S. Coffman was stabbed during an argument with Joseph M. Coffman, 28, of Fort McDowell, Arizona, while the two were traveling early Saturday morning in western Illinois just east of Hannibal, Missouri, according to a news release from Pike County Sheriff Paul Petty.

A report from The Associated Press identified the pair as half brothers.

Deputies from Pike and Adams counties and Illinois State Police troopers responded to a report just before 1 a.m. of a pickup truck with a driver and passenger that had drifted off the road on I-72 near Exit 1 in Illinois.

Upon arriving, officers found both Dennis and Joseph Coffman in the truck, according to the sheriff's office. Dennis Coffman was taken to Hannibal Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead of injuries received as a result of an argument that took place while the two were traveling.

Joseph Coffman was arrested on a charge of aggravated battery and was taken to Pike County Jail. Petty said more charges are expected and could be handed down as early as Sunday. The younger Coffman could appear in Pike County court as soon as Tuesday.